Echinopsis saltensis

Echinopsis saltensis, synonym Chamaecereus saltensis, is a species of cactus from northwestern Argentina.^[2]

Echinopsis saltensis is generally found growing as an individual plant, developing clusters with a robust taproot. The light green shoots, varying from spherical to short cylindrical, can attain a diameter of up to 9 cm (3.5 in). These shoots display 17 to 18 ribs adorned with flat tubercles. The areoles, situated closely along the ribs, contain one to four robust central spines, typically curved, measuring 1 to 1.2 cm (0.39 to 0.47 in) in length. Additionally, there are twelve to fourteen radial spines, thinner than the central spines, with a length of up to 6 mm (0.24 in).

The red, funnel-shaped flowers, darker towards the center, blossom on the sides of the shoots and unfurl during daylight hours. These flowers can extend to a length of up to 4 cm (1.6 in). The spherical fruits, measuring up to 5 mm (0.20 in) in diameter.^[3]

Carlo Luigi Spegazzini initially described the species as Echinopsis saltensis in 1905.^[4] The specific epithet saltensis denotes its occurrence in the Argentine province of Salta. In 2012, Boris O. Schlumpberger reclassified the species under the genus Chamaecereus. When Chamaecereus was made a synonym of Echinopsis, the species returned to its original name.^[2]

Echinopsis saltensis is found in the Argentina provinces of Salta and Tucumán, at elevations ranging from 1200 to 2400 meters growing in shrublands on clay soils.